Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige conquer the Hollywood Bowl

THE STUFF OF LEGEND: Classily attired and as compelling as ever, Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z served up striking, dynamic performances in their Hollywood Bowl debut Wednesday night. The duo plays again Friday at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Mary J. Blige & Jay-Z

Midway into her hour-plus portion of Wednesday night's hip-hop soul spectacular at the Hollywood Bowl, Mary J. Blige paused to soak in just what was happening. "A true night of history," she concluded, though I'm not sure she realized just how historic.

True, this marked the Bowl debut of both Blige (appearing genuinely in awe to be on a stage graced by so many legends) and her touring companion, Jay-Z, so masterful and respected an MC that even bragging brat Kanye West bows down before him. More importantly, however, the duo's nonstop, nearly three-hour performance (divided in half, with duets bookending and dotting the set) will stand as a milestone: This, finally, more than a quarter-century since the style was conceived, was the night hip-hop completely took over the Bowl.

Not that it has never been represented at the landmark venue - it hasn't been uncommon to see a De La Soul or Black Eyed Peas turn up at a KCRW bash or fund-raising gala here. But rarely if ever has the hard-hitting, inspirational sound of the streets, the music of the clubs and the projects, been the main attraction at the home of the L.A. Philharmonic and the Playboy Jazz Festival. Certainly no touring package I can recall before this dream match-up of Queen Mary and King Hova has ever landed at Southern California's most famous amphitheater.

No wonder the whole shebang ended with a fireworks display to shame what you'd see here on the Fourth of July. Such an auspicious occasion demanded an over-the-top finale.

Granted, the stars themselves served up enough scorching vocal pyrotechnics to render the real thing almost unnecessary. Surfacing in silhouette, back-to-back in the spiffiest threads, a sprawling cityscape design unfurled all around them, they arrived like titans exuding supreme classiness, a tone neither artist abandoned as the extravaganza progressed.

Blige, for one, seemed especially aware of the shoes she was filling, her words acknowledging the debt she owes Anita Baker and Chaka Khan but her vocals paying homage to a whole pool of forebears. Her most overcome cries, particularly in the fiery final stretch of the gut-wrenching "No More Drama," are pure Aretha, moved by the spirit yet with a fierce realism in her toughened grit. Her performance overall, however, had all the poise and power of Gladys Knight in her prime - whether playing it wickedly funky ("Out My Mind") or silky smooth ("Sweet Thing"), Blige has that same ability to seem fully a product of her upbringing yet pack such compelling force that people of any background can relate and recognize her truth and mighty talent.

Her moments with Jay-Z were smart and wisely limited - "Can't Knock the Hustle" to open, a stinging cameo from Jay during "Real Love," a heartfelt "Song Cry" late in the evening, a triumphant "Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)" as conclusion. No further sparks were required to ensure that the crowd (many of whom had paid upwards of $250 a seat for this experience) would throw itself into the moment as much as the performers themselves.

Clearly last year's limited club run prepped him well, for he has not only discerned which material works best in wide open spaces, he's wisely learned that people paid to see him, not his posse. (Thus, only Memphis Bleek was on hand to play sidekick during "U Don't Know" and an almost breathless "99 Problems" that once again tacked on some AC/DC for extra wallop.)

Giant smashes like "Can I Get a â¦" and "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)," absent at House of Blues in November, were here the crowd-rousers you'd expect them to be, as were a handful of cuts from "The Black Album." The biggest surprise: a retooled "Can I Live," proof that Jay hasn't entirely forsaken his rougher "Reasonable Doubt" material for slicker fare.

How well it will all play at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine remains to be seen. It's a Friday-night show - party people will rule, perhaps more so than this Bowl crowd, traditionally tame until Jay riled 'em up. Regardless, even if Friday brings more energy, it won't carry any importance - just another tour stop, a thankful encore, if you will, to satisfy overflow demand. This Bowl bonanza, though - now that's the stuff of legend.

THE STUFF OF LEGEND: Classily attired and as compelling as ever, Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z served up striking, dynamic performances in their Hollywood Bowl debut Wednesday night. The duo plays again Friday at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
TOGETHER AT LAST: Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z emerge for the start of their historic Hollywood Bowl performance Wednesday night. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
THE STUFF OF LEGEND: Classily attired and as compelling as ever, Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z served up striking, dynamic performances in their Hollywood Bowl debut Wednesday night. The duo plays again Friday at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
THE STUFF OF LEGEND: Classily attired and as compelling as ever, Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z served up striking, dynamic performances in their Hollywood Bowl debut Wednesday night. The duo plays again Friday at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
HUGS AND KISSES: Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z hug after the opening duet of their Hollywood Bowl performance Wednesday night. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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